"Chuck it," growled Bill sullenly, as Atherton applied an arm-lock. "Chuck it orl you'll break my bloomin' arm. I gives in." Securely bound hand and foot the prisoner was carried out into the open. The first phase of the capture of the robbers of Sir Silas Gwinnear's silver was effected. "Now, lads!" exclaimed Mr Buckley, "that's number one. 'Wolves'! Keep watch over the inner cave; we'll rout out Mr Tassh later on. Everest and Baker stand by the prisoner. The rest of the 'Otters' follow me. We must board the yacht and capture the remaining member of the crew." CHAPTER. XX A GOOD NIGHT'S WORK "GIVE me a hand down here, Atherton," exclaimed Mr Buckley. "We can't wait for a rope this time." Without mishap the Scouts and the Scoutmaster descended the jagged cliff by the same path that the luckless Bill had so lately ascended. Hauled up on a shelving ledge and practically awash by the rising tide, was the canvas boat. It seemed a flimsy craft to hold five persons, but reassured by Mr Buckley's word the Scouts embarked. There were but two oars, and these were short; the boat was deeply laden, and progress was, in consequence, slow. Before they were thirty yards from the cliff the Scouts heard the clanking of a windlass. The sole occupant of the yacht, alarmed at the commotion ashore, was weighing anchor. "He means to start the motor and leave his comrades to their fate," exclaimed Mr Buckley. "Put your backs into it, lads." Desperately the fellow worked the windlass, but unfortunately for him there was good scope of chain out. Ere half of it was inboard, the canvas boat swept under the yacht's counter and ranged up alongside his starboard quarter. "Surrender!" shouted the Scoutmaster. The man's only reply was to drop the handle of the winch, snatch up the gun from the deck and present it full at Mr Buckley's head. "Won't do, my man," exclaimed the Scoutmaster affably. "We know there isn't a single cartridge on board." The rascal's jaw dropped with sheer amazement. "I'll bash in the skull of the first chap who tries to get on deck," he replied, swinging the butt end of the weapon above his head. "Hands up instantly, or I'll fire!" ordered Mr Buckley, sternly. The pale light glinted on the bright barrel of a sinister-looking object he held extended in his right hand. Somewhat to the Scoutmaster's surprise the fellow immediately complied, holding his arms extended to their fullest extent above his head to show that there was no deception, while the gun clattered noisily upon the deck. In a trice Atherton and Phillips were once more upon the yacht. Without further resistance the fellow allowed them to secure him. "Take him below," ordered Mr Buckley. "Phillips and Mayne will look after him all right. Come on, you others, if you want to be in at the capture of Mr Tassh." Before pushing off, Mr Buckley called to Phillips to come out of the cabin.